Colorado Avalanche vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 1/29/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN2

Bell Centre is the location where the Montreal Canadiens (28-17-7) will compete against the Colorado Avalanche (35-6-9) on Thursday.

The Colorado Avalanche were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs in the last game they played. Colorado earned 6 penalty minutes in this matchup. The Avalanche had a good offensive output in the win. Additionally, they had 2 chances with extra men on the ice but weren't able to score. For the outing, they scored on 4 of the 37 shots they attempted.

Regarding their scoring capabilities, the Colorado Avalanche have accumulated 197 goals (1st in pro hockey) on the season and have surrendered 117. For the year, they have recorded 79 points and their points percentage sits at .790. Colorado comes into tonight with 170 power play chances and they have notched 27 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 15.88%. At even strength, the Avalanche have allowed 95 goals while scoring 170 when they are on offense. Colorado has tried 1,746 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.3%. The Avalanche so far have had 1,339 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .913. Colorado Avalanche opponents have 138 power play opportunities (28th in the NHL) and have racked up 22 goals in those chances.

The man in goal for this game is Scott Wedgewood. The opposition has notched 475 goals against Wedgewood in his NHL career and his goals against average per game is 2.86. Wedgewood has been in goal for 184 games throughout his hockey career. He has a save percentage of .908 during his 8,234 minutes in the crease. He has compiled a mark of 82-57-29 and he has started in 166 games. Over the course of his career, Wedgewood is sitting with 88 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .530. Wedgewood has had 5,160 shots against him and has accrued 4,685 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Montreal went up against the Bruins in a matchup where the Canadiens took the loss by a score of 4-3. They had 3 power play opportunities in this outing and recorded 2 out of those opportunities. The Canadiens tallied 3 goals out of the 25 shots on goal they tried.

The Canadiens have racked up 139 goals at even strength and 36 goals (9th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Montreal has taken 1,364 shots (25th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 12.83%, while allowing the opposition 1,397 shots. Over the course of the season, the Montreal Canadiens have a total of 175 goals, 63 points, as well as a points percentage of .606. They have granted a total of 171 goals to be scored by way of 131 goals at even strength and 40 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 151 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 23.84%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 76.47% on the other teams 170 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 87.8%.

Across the ice you will find Sam Montembeault in goal. Opponents are averaging 3.31 goals per contest and he has allowed 688 goals overall. Montembeault's rate of quality starts comes out to 51.4% and he has 107 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has made the start in 208 games and has played 10,969 minutes. Montembeault is the owner of a career mark of 89-92-30 and has been in net for 228 games. He has accounted for 5,945 saves out of 6,633 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .896.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Colorado

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